John Romsey to Sir Charles Kemeys. Reports that many people had been sent to prison, rather on suspicion than accusation, among whom he was informed was the Earl of Rochester; he had heard that the Duke of Beaufort and Sir Dudley North had been sent for, but these men's known care of themselves and their estates was almost a security that they would not adventure them for anybody's sake; the printer of a declaration of the French King has been taken.
Robert Merrett to Sir Charles Kemeys. News of proclamations for high treason against the Earls of Lichfield, Ailesbury, Castlemaine and others and of appointments to certain regiments [see State Papers. Domestic, 1690-91; pp. 65, 69]; the States General of Holland intended sending over an ambassador to enquire into the miscarriage of late naval action against France; reports great enthusiasm among the militia to defend King and country against the French; the militia men and a regiment of the King's forces brought the garrison of the Isle of Wight up to 8,000 men; the garrison of Portsmouth had been reinforced and fortifications flung up; it is said that the French King intended to employ Marshal de Humieres in his designs against England; reports the advance of King William towards Munster and that the army under General Douglas had encamped on 10 July at Meath; on 13 July Admiral Killeygrew with 8 English and 5 Dutch warships had put into Plymouth, leaving 6 English and 6 Dutch men-of-war at Cadiz; Sir Cloudesly Shovell had sailed that evening with 10 men-of-war for the Irish coast; two ships from the West Indies and one from Malaga had also put into port.
Robert Merrett to Sir Charles Kemeys. A fleet consisting of 46 English and 30 Dutch warships would soon be repaired and ready for sea again; reference to the enquiry about the conduct of Lord Torrington in the recent naval battle, in which the French had lost one of their great ships, and 5 more were disabled; the French fleet was divided into three squadrons placed at Boulogne, plying eastwards, at the 'Nesse' and at the back of Goodwins; a scheme promoted by wealthy people had been launched to enter into a bond of association to raise 20,000 troops for their Majesties' service; the Earl of Tyrone, Lord Dover, Sir Patrick Trant, the Marquis of Powis, or some of them had promised the King that they would surrender Waterford; it was certain that the King had left Ireland, but Tyrconnell was 'making head' at Limerick; Count Lauzun was in command of the scattered French forces; the Irish had quitted Athlone; King William's forces amount to 25,000; Kilkenny, Sligo and Cavan were in our possession; Ed. Baldwin had been committed to Newgate by warrant of Lord Nottingham.
Robert Merrett to Sir Charles Kemeys. Discusses his translation of a French book; mentions that the French fleet had been discovered from the hills at Penzance sailing south-west and it was thought that they were going away.
Robert Merrett to Sir Charles Kemeys. States that the French book he was translating had already appeared in English; there was a report that King William was already in possession of Limerick, which was defended by a garrison of 6,000 men, but those without numbered 40,000 and were resolute to stand a battle; a French engineer was reported to have deserted from Limerick and given to King William an account of the number of the garrison and the best places to attack; 18 ships had lately come from France under convoy of 5 men of war; a packet boat had been captured with letters concerning French designs on Plymouth, which they intended to bomb, to fire the ships in Catwater and to burn all the men of war in the harbour; the French fleet was still near Torbay; it was reported from the West Indies that the British forces had retaken St Christopher's; a second wreck had been found off the coast of Jamaica, from which treasure of the value of £20,000 had already been taken.
John Romsey to Sir Charles Kemeys. Glad to be favoured with a letter at the time when he was busy with the security of the Kingdom and with the 'Church of England rascals' who were to have met the French, which the author of the Modest Enquiry [Baldwin - see 170] had said should be brought to light by this time, but had not yet been as good as his word; thinks it was lucky foresight to secure Sir James Morgan, for though the greater danger was from his principles, by his experience of wars and mathematical knowledge, if applied to gunnery and fortifications, he could be 'plaguey dangerous'; such arms and horses as he had might have constituted a danger if they had fallen into the hands of some resolute Jacobites; he had been regaled last week with stories of the recent battles by certain officers, who gave more instances of the King's heroism than fame had reported of him; thanks Sir Charles for his good reports of his family and his horses.
Robert Merrett to Sir Charles Kemeys. He was surprised that so many people of all qualities spoke so much on behalf of the Earl of Torrington, whom the writer hoped would die the death of a dog; there had lately arrived in France from Ireland two persons who wrongly asserted that the Duke of Schomberg had been shot and that King William was killed; the French desertion of Limerick had been confirmed and the Countess of Tyrconnell had arrived in Brest; about 1,500 officers had fled from Ireland, but the French King had recaptured them all and had ordered the governor of Brest to take all who arrived there into custody; orders had also been sent to Count Lauzun, if he found Limerick and Galway untenable, to bring money and troops there [Brest], where a squadron of ships would be ready to receive them; the English and Dutch fleet had come out of the Hamos and fell into the Pound [sic], all except the Duke; a vessel had followed the French fleet within a few leagues of Brest; Col. Lutterell, who was in command at Limerick, had offered to capitulate if the King would agree to hostages being given by both sides; the Dutch States General were sending gold with Mr Harbourd, who was accompanying the men of war they were sending to England; a Council had been held yesterday to deal with the affairs of Earl Torrington and had also considered the petitions of several prisoners in the Tower when it was decided that those who were not accused on oath might be allowed bail, while others were to remain prisoners; Sir Ralph Dalavell, with a squadron of men at war, was ordered up the Channel to meet the Plymouth fleet and to rendezvous at the Spithead.
Robert Merrett to Sir Charles Kemeys. Mainly concerning books and literary matters,
[Robert Merrett] to Sir Charles Kemeys. States that odds of £100 to £30 were being given that a session of Parliament was to begin on the following Monday, on the strength of the news from Ireland that Limerick, if not yet taken, could not hold out much longer, and the Duke of Devonshire had gone 'down post' to meet the King on his return; preparations were being made for the King's reception; it was a dull Bartholemew fair, as the season was so dirty and the town so empty on account of the war, but there were enough to make a riot, with some killed and more wounded.
Robert Merrett to Sir Charles Kemeys. News that parliament had met and been prorogued; Marlborough had been told by the King to delay his departure; reference to certain public appointments.
Robert Merrett to Sir Charles Kemeys. On the night before there had been scenes of great rejoicing in London on account of the return of the King; King Louis XIV had been burned in effigy and cries of 'Torrington, a coward' were heard.
Robert Merrett to Sir Charles Kemeys. Complaining of Sir Charles's ill-humour about his request to return. Mr Higden's satire; also refers to the lack of attention to business on the part of Sir Charles's bookseller.
John Humberstone to Sir Charles Kemeys. His little master and mistress were very well; also the nurse and all the rest of the family; they had had visits from Mrs Thomas of Wenvoe; Mrs Button of Shipcourt wished to hear of their safe arrival in London; the horses and cattle were well, they had been offered only £5 for 20 of the best sheep by William Reece and other butchers; they had sold 5 pigs to the workmen from Keven Mably for 18s. and wheat to them at 3s. per bushel; the oxen are taken from Kemes Park 'to cut wheat stubbles for barley'; wood was to be cut in Keven Mably Park next week; Roger Williams wants to know how many cords should be cut there this winter, which was guessed to be 300 short cords; Mr Williams had preached in church on Sunday and wished to know if his money was in Sir Charles's hands or Mr Sandys's, sends accounts of household expenditure and payments to workmen from 23-30 Nov.; it was intended to kill the bull and the cow for the poor next week; the workmen's account came to £2.2.9 and the household expenses, 24 Nov. to 1 Dec., £2.6.9; proposes to kill the bull and the cow for the poor; fat cattle sold at Cardiff fair sold at a low rate.
William Springett to Sir Charles Kemeys. Concerning household expenditure at Ruperra, details of which are given on the dorse, and other details of household management; also family news and social gossip; the household expenses, 1-8 Dec., amount to £2.13.23/4 in respect of kitchen, buttery and stable, and payments to workmen, 30 Nov. to 7 Dec., amount to £2.4.10.
John Humberstone to Sir Charles Kemeys. Family news and household accounts of expenditure at Ruperra; venison and cheese had been despatched to Monmouth; beef and corn as usual were given to the poor at Kevenmably; efforts were made to collect rents from the tenants, but only £40 was promised between this and New Year's day; 30 ewes had been sold to a butcher at Cardiff at £5 per score, which supplied their needs as to taxes; the workmen's account was £2.10.8 and the household account £2.13.9, the poor being supplied with a bushel of wheat weekly.
Lady Mary Kemeys to Sir Charles Kemeys. Detailing the plans of her journey to London; she could bring no money with her, having been forced to borrow off Jonson to pay Mr Gunter's interest and servants' wages; returns thanks for His Majesty's gracious speed; supposes that everybody was in mourning, so she need not bring up any coloured coat or white laced lining. Incomplete.
William Springett to Sir Charles Kemeys. Sending accounts of household expenditure and for payments to workmen for the three weeks, 8 to 29 Dec.; family news and social gossip; wants to know if he wished oats bought for the stables, as they were cheap, and whether they should sell the barley or not; the workmen take the wheat that can be spared; reference to cording and coking at Cadogan's wood and at Kevenmably Park; for the first week the household expenses were £2.13.9 plus cost of 4 sacks of coal, 1s.4 and the workmen's £2.10.8; for the second week £2.9.63/4 plus 50 sacks of coal, 16s.8, and the workmen's £2.9.41/2; and for the third week the household expenses were £2.0.93/4 plus 8 sacks of coal, £2s.8, and the workmen's account 18s.10; intends borrowing the neighbours' oxen to help to end cutting the park.
John Humberstone to Sir Charles Kemeys. Sending on dorse the household and workmen's accounts from 29 Dec. to 4 Jan.; little master and Mary were very well, though the latter had a swelling of the gums through breaking teeth; the scabs on her face had almost dried off; William Edward Morgan of Eglwysilan, a tenant and the last life in a lease, was dead, from whom they received a bullock valued nearly £2 as a heriot; Margaret John, his tenant at Eglwysilan, was also dead, but was so poor that there was nothing to be had for a heriot; Anne Treharne was married in a private house by Lewis Jones, formerly a curate; the household expenses amount to £2.2.31/4 and the workmen's account to £2.5.01/2.